Projectors

[todlerix]

I really like big screen stuff, as im sure most people do. so i've been looking at projectors, im hoping i can get some insite from the rest of you.

i like 1280x1024 ~ i like a crisp image with rich colors. if anyone has a suggestion please do.



and these are my questions:

how far back do i have to go for 150in display?
whats the difference from a 1300 dollar projector to a 2400 dollar projector?
can i have my projector "hooked" on the ceiling and still be able to get a rectangular picture?
do i need a sceen or is my white wall ok?

 

[Martin64]

I really like big screen stuff, as im sure most people do. so i've been looking at projectors, im hoping i can get some insite from the rest of you.

i like 1280x1024 ~ i like a crisp image with rich colors. if anyone has a suggestion please do.



and these are my questions:

how far back do i have to go for 150in display?
whats the difference from a 1300 dollar projector to a 2400 dollar projector?
can i have my projector "hooked" on the ceiling and still be able to get a rectangular picture?
do i need a sceen or is my white wall ok?

I recommend getting one of the following widescreen LCD projectors:

- Hitachi PJ-TX100
- Panasonic PT-AE500 alt PT-AE700
- Sanyo PLV-Z2 alt. PLV-Z3

They all have 3 x 1280 x 720 panels and are rated highly by customers.

Yes, you can have it hooked in the ceiling and flip the picture in-menu.

Difference in price? CRT projectors are expensive while LCD projectors are cheap.

White wall can be OK, but if you're spending $2000 on a projector it'll certainly be worth a few hundred extra on a good screen, I've used both wall and a screen, the difference is pretty big.

 

[swatbat]

Yea Martin64 is right on those projectors. If you really want a high res projector then a CRT based one is the way to go but I'd look at either a good LCD or DLP based one with a little less on the res side. And yes you do want a screen. It will make a difference.

 

[BillR]

I really like big screen stuff, as im sure most people do. so i've been looking at projectors, im hoping i can get some insite from the rest of you.

i like 1280x1024 ~ i like a crisp image with rich colors. if anyone has a suggestion please do.



and these are my questions:

how far back do i have to go for 150in display?
whats the difference from a 1300 dollar projector to a 2400 dollar projector?
can i have my projector "hooked" on the ceiling and still be able to get a rectangular picture?
do i need a sceen or is my white wall ok?

For a 150” screen there is no difference between a 1300 and 2400 dollar projector, they would all be worthless, especially in 4X3 mode. A 1000 lumen projector on a 150” screen (white wall) would be lucky to get you 300 lumens viewable. You would also have almost zero black level.

All good projectors today are based on a 16 X 9 system be it LCD or DLP. When you switch to 4 X 3 mode you just lost half your pixels, what’s the point? The “light spill” on the sides kills your picture even worse.

The Yamaha site and the Runco site have some throw specs you might want to look at, it can be an eye opener. Let us not forget you need an all buy totally dark room as well.

NO FP company recommends using their product with out a screen; most recommend the Stewart or equivalent screens, you will be a bit shocked at screen prices.

Also, before you buy, see if you can borrow one (give the store your credit card to take one home and try it). Then, if you think I’m not being negative enough, consider the bulb life, typically 2000 hours. As a rule bulbs start at $250 and to to…well, quite high depending on the quality of the projector and color reproduction you expect.

Luck